Caribbean American Cultural Group, Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball
Another Triumphant Evening with CACG
Port St. Lucie, FL. September 12, 2025. By Ms. Frances Coke
On September 6, 2025, CACG hosted its 41st Anniversary Gala, sponsored by Aycock Funeral Home/Dignity, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, Facey Realty, and Tonya Lowe/State Farm Insurance.
Seasoned CACG Mistress of Ceremony, Ms. Faye Linton, introduced the evening and a hush fell upon the ballroom, decked out in tropical colors and already throbbing to the rhythms of the Caribbean. The voice of young 2024 Keith Green Foundation/CACG Scholar Samara Lewis filled the silence, a powerful instrument that caressed the notes and lyrics of the National Anthem, as everyone stood in awe. It was a fitting beginning to an evening that never stopped filling St. Lucie’s “beautiful people” with pride and reverence for CACG – an organization marking its forty-first year of outstanding service to the Treasure Coast.
The solemnities continued with the invocation led by Pastor Ira Mozee of Port St. Lucie Worship Center International, acknowledgment of special guests, and greetings from the City of Port St. Lucie, eloquently delivered by Councilman Anthony Bonna.
Miss Lewis enchanted the audience with a moving rendition of “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” capturing the elegance of all the women who had stepped into the ballroom in their best attire, surrounded by equally dapper men.
As attention turned to the promise of a sumptuous meal, the dynamic dance duo, Isabel Lowe and Angel Tamayo from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Port St. Lucie treated guests to a series of graceful, rhythmic ballroom dances that lit up the stage. Equally entertaining was the accompanying dance descriptions from Ms. Linton, who skilfully varied her voice to suit the tone and mood of every dance performed.
An efficiently served buffet meal occupied the large crowd, during and after the dancing, bringing a steady hum to the ballroom as conversation topics ranged from the array of delights CACG had offered, to anticipation of the hour when their own convergence on the dance floor would begin.
First, a few more fitting formalities occurred, starting with an uplifting message from President Dawn Bloomfield, who impressed with a persuasive call to action based on the theme, Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future, a concise overview of CACG’s “41 Years of Culture, Unity, and Growth.” She shared snapshots of the organization’s numerous contributions to the community, and pledged to do more when CACG occupies its new home at 3771 SE Jennings Road, appropriately described as “a space where our traditions will continue to live on, where our youth will be inspired, and where our collective pride will shine…”
Highlighting CACG’s commitment to “expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring that the Caribbean voice continues to be heard, valued, and celebrated,” Ms. Bloomfield invited the gathering to be part of that future by leaving a lasting legacy through CACG’s Brick Fundraiser which donors can support by purchasing a brick to honor themselves, their families or their businesses and have the names “etched into the very foundation… of our new cultural center,” which will “not only be a space but a future for generations to come.”
Stomachs filled with the sumptuous meal, dessert, and more than enough libations, the activities proceeded at a canter, shepherded by Ms. Linton, whose clarity, enthusiasm and wit, kept the over 400 attendees thrilled by all the items presented. In between, everyone absorbed the sheer elegance of everything – the décor, the steel pan music, and the eye-catching multi-colored centrepieces lovingly created by CACG’s floral arrangement guru, Ms. Joyce Smith, ably assisted by her husband, Mr. Allan Smith. It was no surprise that the gathering erupted with joy when President Bloomfield announced these two CACG stalwarts as her “surprise pick” for special recognition for their contribution to the organization over several years.
The premier awards for the evening went to the 2025 Ball Honoree, Port St. Lucie Councilman Mr. David Pickett, and to Jamaica’s Consul General Roderick Oliver Mair, who received the 2025 CACG Humanitarian Award for his outstanding contributions to the Caribbean community. Councilman Pickett was elected to the Port St. Lucie City Council in November 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. He spends most of his time working hard to improve the local economy and maintain the high-quality city services that the community deserves.
Other special awards to outstanding associates and supporters of CACG included community partner, Bishop Gerald Green of the Port St. Lucie Worship Center International, for his deep commitment to uplifting the community and advancing a shared mission with CACG. Another community partner was Mr. Jeffrey Hampson, owner of St Lucie Roofing, who has played a vital role in strengthening CACG, was lauded for being a committed community leader, whose partnership with CACG reflects a deep commitment to service, collaboration, and cultural pride. The third community partner, real estate professional Mr. Claude Facey, owner of Facey Realty, was lauded for his community leadership and a partnership with CACG that reflects a deep commitment to service, collaboration, and cultural pride.
In addition to the presentations and awardees’ responses, it was an evening when attendees found something to admire in every corner– the photo booth, the stylishly wrapped goodies for the Chinese auction, the unforgettable memento – a beautifully produced 41st anniversary Souvenir Journal, and the Trips of a Lifetime displays that enticed bidders to compete for exciting journeys to exotic lands. It was no wonder that cheers rang out when winners were announced.
The rest of the evening was devoted to the explosion of dancing, not by entertainers, but by CACG members, friends, and supporters who all took to the floor to fill the room with their own display of Caribbean Rhythms!
When the curtain came down hours later, attendees were expressing various versions of “it was good to be here” for yet another well-planned, well-executed CACG annual gala, and were already looking forward to the 2026 gala!
In keeping with its motto, “Together We Achieve,” CACG welcomes new members and partners who are committed to furthering its mission of philanthropy and community service.
There is much more to discover and enjoy at CACG. You are welcome to participate in its upcoming events:
October 25: Health & Wellness Breast Cancer Walk
November 1: Taste of the Caribbean, 3771 SE Jennings Rd, PSL
November 8: “Building Skills that Matter” - Needs Assessment Seminar/Workshop in preparation for CACG’s new Scholarship Program for 2026, 10:00 a.m.
January 19, 2026: Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Memorial Celebration, Sunlight Community Church, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Secretary, CACG, P.O. Box 8701, Port St. Lucie, FL 34985, OR visit http://www.cacgpsl.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/CACGInc
